nuclear-physics

What I do

• Analyze nuclear structure and decay modes
• Model nuclear reactions and fusion/fission
• Calculate radioactive decay chains
• Study particle detectors and radiation detection
• Analyze nuclear binding energy and stability
• Model nuclear shell structure

When to use me

When analyzing nuclear power, radiation therapy, or studying fundamental nuclear physics.

Key Concepts

• Binding Energy: BE = (Zm_p + Nm_n - M)c² holds nuclei together
• Radioactive Decay: N(t) = N₀e^{-λt}, half-life T₁/₂ = ln(2)/λ
• Alpha Decay: α particle emission, tunneling through Coulomb barrier
• Beta Decay: Neutron → proton + electron + antineutrino
• Gamma Decay: Excited nuclei emit high-energy photons
• Fission: Heavy nuclei split, releasing energy (~200 MeV per event)